A new species of shrimp has been discovered in Maltese waters – and is now being sold as an edible delicacy.
Prof. Alan Deidun, renowned marine biologist, from the University’s Department of Geosciences, was recently interviewed on TV, where he revealed that this new species made its way to Malta from the Atlantic in recent years.
Called the northern brown shrimp (or by its scientific name, Penaeus aztecus), this is in fact a shrimp that is typically found in the waters surrounding the United States, and which closely resembles the striped or caramote prawn (Penaeus kerathurus), which is native to Mediterranean waters. Local fishers have been catching the new species of shrimp in recent years and have alerted Prof. Deidun and his team.
Researchers from the University of Malta and Aquatic Resources Malta are in fact currently jointly studying its population size to determine any potential impact on the local marine ecosystem. It is understood that the new species is already being sold and consumed, being an edible species and has already established sizeable populations within most of the eastern and central Mediterranean.
At present, approximately 100 non-native species have been recorded in Maltese waters, with a considerable number of newcomers being identified each year. These species are often introduced through human activity (shipping, canals, aquarium industry, aquaculture), with the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 contributing greatly to this phenomenon.
Discussing the overall state of the sea, Professor Deidun raised concerns about the rising temperature of seawater. He warned that increasing temperatures could make sea urchin and coral species more susceptible to disease, lead to greater infestations by parasites, and ultimately to more frequent incidences of mass mortalities, besides facilitating the colonisation of even more invasive alien species (IAS). The OMRG (Oceanography Malta Research Group) of the Department of Geosciences, of which Prof. Deidun forms part, regularly monitors an ever-expanding array of biogeochemical parameters within Maltese waters, including temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and pH. The same research group also manages a number of citizen science campaigns, including the Spot the Alien and the Spot the Alien Fish ones.
The interview may be followed in its entirety .
